President Droupadi Murmu’s submarine sortie onboard INS Vaghsheer is far more than a ceremonial milestone. It is a moment rich in symbolism, strategic messaging and institutional morale-building-one that underscores the evolving nature of India’s civil-military relationship and the active role of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces in understanding preparedness at the sharp end. By undertaking a sortie on a frontline Kalvari-class submarine, President Murmu has become only the second President of India to experience undersea operations, after the late President Kalam in 2006. Submarine service represents one of the most demanding and least visible dimensions of naval warfare-marked by prolonged isolation, technological sophistication and high-risk deterrence missions. A President choosing to step into this silent domain sends a powerful message of solidarity with sailors who operate far from the public gaze but remain central to national security.
The importance of this visit must be seen in the larger continuum of President Murmu’s engagement with the armed forces. In 2023, she flew in a Sukhoi fighter aircraft, becoming the first President to do so. In 2025, she again took to the skies, this time in a Rafale fighter jet from Ambala, describing the experience as “unforgettable”. In 2024, she visited the Siachen base camp, the world’s highest battlefield, where soldiers endure extreme weather and isolation in defence of the nation. With the submarine sortie now added, all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces-the Army, Navy and Air Force-have had the unique distinction of the President’s direct presence in their most demanding operational environments.
For the rank and file, this matters immensely. When the Supreme Commander stands shoulder to shoulder with soldiers at Siachen, flies alongside fighter pilots at supersonic speeds, or descends beneath the waves with submariners, it is not merely an act of symbolism. It is a profound morale booster. It reinforces the idea that the highest constitutional authority understands their hardships, values their professionalism and trusts their capabilities. Such gestures instil pride, reaffirm purpose and strengthen the emotional bond between the leadership and those tasked with defending the nation.
Equally significant is the operational value of these engagements. On-ground visits and operational sorties provide the President with first-hand exposure to preparedness levels, technological capabilities and human challenges-often bypassing layers of bureaucratic briefings. One-to-one interactions allow issues to surface organically, lending authenticity and urgency to concerns that might otherwise remain buried in files. For the armed forces, these moments also become opportunities to demonstrate readiness, innovation and resolve to the Supreme Commander herself.
President Murmu’s submarine sortie also carries a strong strategic-industrial message. INS Vaghsheer is built indigenously with advanced capabilities and scope for future upgrades like air-independent propulsion. Her presence aboard an indigenous platform reinforces India’s commitment to “Make in India” in defence and signals to the world that the country is steadily reducing dependence on imports while building credible, high-end military capabilities. In an era of contested seas and growing strategic competition in the Indian Ocean Region, such messaging matters.
There is also a powerful gender dimension to President Murmu’s actions. By repeatedly undertaking roles traditionally associated with extreme physical and psychological demands, they send a clear signal-to the armed forces and society alike-that Indian women can perform any task, in any domain, when duty calls. For women serving at all levels in the forces, these gestures are deeply affirming, lending visibility and legitimacy to their aspirations and contributions.
Above all, President Murmu’s consistent engagement reflects her personal ethos-marked by humility, resolve and a strong sense of duty. Her willingness to step into the lives and environments of ordinary soldiers mirrors her broader approach to public life: grounded, accessible and empathetic. For the armed forces, this is not merely reassuring; it is practically valuable. A Supreme Commander who listens, observes and participates strengthens institutional confidence and reinforces national unity. In going beneath the waves aboard INS Vaghsheer, President Murmu has reaffirmed that leadership is not confined to ceremonial halls. It is equally forged in cockpits, at icy outposts, and in the silent depths of the sea-where commitment to the nation is absolute, and duty knows no compromise.
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